iWorld
In a first, BookMyShow Stream rolls out TV series on-demand
Mumbai: Big Tree Entertainment-owned transaction video-on-demand (TVOD) service BookMyShow Stream has announced the launch of TV series on the platform. With this, BookMyShow Stream will become the first TVOD platform in India to introduce on-demand TV series to audiences.
The newly-launched TV series catalogue will feature exclusive titles and mini-series. Curated from across genres and languages (English, Spanish, French, German and others) the slate will also include the platform’s owned content under the BookMyShow Stream originals banner. The service premieres with the Danish-Swedish mini-series “The Investigation” on 17 December.
BookMyShow Stream will be offering users the option to either rent a TV series of their choice for a finite duration or buy it for unlimited access. “The Investigation” will be followed by a slew of titles being released every fortnight over the next few months. These will include “The Trip Franchise” (English), “Miramar Murders” (Spanish), “The Sketch Artist” (French), “The Sister” (English), “Hard Sun” (English), “The Witnesses” (German), “Dark Woods” (German), and “Dalgleish” (English). Most of these titles will be available under BMS originals.
“BookMyShow Stream has been extremely well received across age groups and languages. We are thrilled to offer cinephiles an enhanced experience with the launch of yet another content format on the platform,” said BookMyShow COO – cinemas Ashish Saksena. “With a multitude of genres and titles that span languages across the world, cinephiles can now access exclusive TV series and content titles every fortnight along with the rich ‘BookMyShow Stream Originals’ repertoire.”
iWorld
Meta warns 200 users after fake Whatsapp spyware attack
Italy-targeted campaign used unofficial app to deploy surveillance spyware.
MUMBAI: It looked like a message, but it behaved like a mole. Meta has warned around 200 users most of them in Italy after uncovering a targeted spyware campaign that weaponised a fake version of WhatsApp to infiltrate devices. The attack, first reported by Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata, relied on classic social engineering with a modern twist: persuading users to download an unofficial WhatsApp clone embedded with surveillance software. The malicious application, believed to be developed by Italian firm SIO through its subsidiary ASIGINT, was designed to mimic the real app closely enough to bypass suspicion.
Meta’s security teams identified roughly 200 individuals who may have installed the compromised version, triggering immediate countermeasures. Affected users were logged out of their accounts and issued alerts warning of potential privacy breaches, with the company describing the incident as a “targeted social engineering attempt” aimed at gaining device-level access.
The malicious app was not distributed via official app stores but circulated through third-party channels, where it was presented as a legitimate WhatsApp alternative. Once installed, it reportedly allowed external operators to access sensitive data stored on the device turning a simple download into a potential surveillance gateway.
According to Techcrunch, Meta is now preparing legal action against the spyware developers to curb further misuse. The company, however, has not disclosed details about the specific individuals targeted or the extent of data compromised.
A Whatsapp spokesperson reiterated that user safety remains the top priority, particularly for those misled into installing the fake iOS application. Meanwhile, reports from La Repubblica suggest the spyware may be linked to “Spyrtacus”, a strain previously associated with Android-based attacks that could intercept calls, activate microphones and even access cameras.
The episode underscores a growing reality in the digital age, the threat is no longer just what you download, but where you download it from. As unofficial apps become increasingly convincing, the line between communication tool and covert surveillance is getting harder to spot and far easier to exploit.
